Arguing With The Neighbours.

[John Benton]

Definitely an estimate, I rarely supply a quote. Estimate states, prime subfloor, fix and grout the tiles supplied. Generally speaking I also supply materials at cost. In some ways I'm kicking myself for not making it crystal clear that I'd be charging for extras, but as neighbours and to some degree friends I figured they'd be happy to sort me out rather than pay someone else to come in.

Never figure that anyone will be happy to part with cash. A lesson learned. I always do a written quote even for family when carrying out work for them. Never had anyone not pay me what I invoiced them for. A lesson learnt!!!

 

[Andy Allen]

Throwing dog $h1t over the fence doesn't help

Your right about the dog....but it's the barking they don't like....
We've had her for 2 and a half years and in that time she has barked 3 times a night for about 20 minutes each time and one of those times it was someone trying to get in my van !!
Apparently in there eyes she a nuisance dog!!

 

[John Benton]

Your right about the dog....but it's the barking they don't like....
We've had her for 2 and a half years and in that time she has barked 3 times a night for about 20 minutes each time and one of those times it was someone trying to get in my van !!
Apparently in there eyes she a nuisance dog!!

I would have fallen out with you as well Andy

 

[Rich Midge]

It will get sorted one way or another. When all said and done it's a days work, it's just the principal of it and the expectation I can't get my head around.

 

[John Benton]

It will get sorted one way or another. When all said and done it's a days work, it's just the principal of it and the expectation I can't get my head around.

2 choices next time Rich. All in writing or not at all. You must have everything in writing even if you tile your wifes' kitchen

 

[Rich Midge]

2 choices next time Rich. All in writing or not at all. You must have everything in writing even if you tile your wifes' kitchen

Quick question mate. If the job changes halfway through, do you then supply a revised estimate? I'm thinking that's the way I'll go from now on.

 

[John Benton]

You go to them when the problem arises and tell them how much it will cost and send an email, get them to confirm by replying, accepting the additional cost, and if another problem arises with mats and labour you do the same thing again. You then have proof if it goes (.)(.) up that they agreed to pay for the additional work. When I invoice at the end I always have a separate section for additional work and materials listings what has been used, its cost and labour costs, then everyone is happy

 

[Rich Midge]

You go to them when the problem arises and tell them how much it will cost and send an email, get them to confirm by replying, accepting the additional cost, and if another problem arises with mats and labour you do the same thing again. You then have proof if it goes (.)(.) up that they agreed to pay for the additional work. When I invoice at the end I always have a separate section for additional work and materials listings what has been used, its cost and labour costs, then everyone is happy

Spot on. Starting tiling for the family business 20 years ago and can count on one hand the disputes I've had over money. Like to think of myself as an honest bloke and to my detriment probably help people out more than I should. This is indeed a lesson learned.

 

[One Day]

They say the person who gives you the job isn't the same one who hands over the money....I've been stung similarly before and I've now got a clause in my terms about scope creep and extras. And I also try to communicate by email if things change so that there's a record which can be used to sort any misunderstanding.

 

[One Day]

I'm still having to start a money claim tomorrow for a grand though! It happens to the best of us (and me! )

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I'am just surprised that you've only estimated for part of the job or that you did the other work without having it accepted.
People want to know the real cost of work at the start so I'd just accept their tiling money and put it down to experience.
I used to recommend a decorator to follow me on jobs till I found out his original estimate was 'topped up' by extras. On my own house he wanted 11 rolls of lining paper extra because the walls were bad - I paid for the paper but he fitted it for nowt!

 

[Just Rizzle]

did a job referb a bathroom befor xmas the client kept asking if while we were there could we do her afavour there seemed to be several favours every day. we kept telling here we don't do favours we do jobs and that any thing other than what was agreed would incure an extra charge she racked up 3 extra days work and was a bit shocked when she got a bill for an extra 750 quid but as we itemised all the extras and how long it took to do them she paid up one of the favours was fitting another boiler on top of the unvented system we agreed to fit for the job.
lol some people

 

[White Room]

did a job referb a bathroom befor xmas the client kept asking if while we were there could we do her afavour there seemed to be several favours every day. we kept telling here we don't do favours we do jobs and that any thing other than what was agreed would incure an extra charge she racked up 3 extra days work and was a bit shocked when she got a bill for an extra 750 quid but as we itemised all the extras and how long it took to do them she paid up one of the favours was fitting another boiler on top of the unvented system we agreed to fit for the job.
lol some people

Is that gas safe then ?

 

[Rich Midge]

I'am just surprised that you've only estimated for part of the job or that you did the other work without having it accepted.
People want to know the real cost of work at the start so I'd just accept their tiling money and put it down to experience.
I used to recommend a decorator to follow me on jobs till I found out his original estimate was 'topped up' by extras. On my own house he wanted 11 rolls of lining paper extra because the walls were bad - I paid for the paper but he fitted it for nowt!

Oooh kicking a man while he's down John!.... Lol. Yep, happy to hold my hands up, was naive on this on. Presumed, incorrectly that they'd 1 realise I was doing work that wasn't in my estimate and 2 that as neighbours they'd be happy to pay me to do said work.

 

[Rich Midge]

did a job referb a bathroom befor xmas the client kept asking if while we were there could we do her afavour there seemed to be several favours every day. we kept telling here we don't do favours we do jobs and that any thing other than what was agreed would incure an extra charge she racked up 3 extra days work and was a bit shocked when she got a bill for an extra 750 quid but as we itemised all the extras and how long it took to do them she paid up one of the favours was fitting another boiler on top of the unvented system we agreed to fit for the job.
lol some people

Ha! Puts my rant about hanging a couple of doors etc into perspective. Oh, while you've got your plumbing tools here would you mind just fitting this boiler? Brilliant.